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Women Poets of China's past I will let you know first that if you are somewhat prudish, you should not finish reading this, but go back to the blog page and find something else. Kenneth Rexroth (1905-1982) was deeply involved with poetry all of his life. He taught himself several languages, helped make the Beat poets popular, and found and translated ancient Chinese woman's poems in his book "Women Poets of China". Most are very nice. But he has included poetry from ancient courtesans, palace women, and Taoist priestesses. Some of these are very suggestive and perhaps erotic. Here is a sample of one such by Huang O (1498-1569). A Farewell to a Southern Melody The day will come when I will Share once more the quilts And pillows I am storing Away. Once more I will shyly Let you undress me and gently Unlock my sealed jewel. I can never describe the Ten thousand beautiful sensual Ways we make love. -Huang O - |
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His beautiful translations was one of the things that Kenneth Rexroth was praised for when his books came out.
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Hi KQRBNP, Regarding your request for this poem in Chinese. I looked in the bibliography of the book mentioned and found the following citation: Huang Fu Jen Yueh Fu (The Tzu an Ch'u Poetry of Lady Huang). Huang O. Chung Hua Shu Chu, 1940. I imagine this was the work in which her poetry was published in 1940. I did an online search, but could find nothing. Really sorry. Following is an attempt. Obviously this was not written in Simplified Chinese, so I have used Google to translate into traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese. I really have no idea if this works out as it was originally written. My guess is probably not, but somewhat close. Daisywander mentioned above that the English version is beautiful, comparing it to the original, I'm assuming. 永別了，一個南方的旋律 這一天會來的時候我會 分享一次被子 和枕頭，我存儲 客場。一次我會害羞地 你讓我脫衣服，輕輕地 我解開密封的寶石。 我永遠無法描述 一萬個美麗的感性 我們的方式做愛。 - Simplified Chinese 永别了，一个南方的旋律 这一天会来的时候我会 分享一次被子 和枕头，我存储 客场。一次我会害羞地 你让我脱衣服，轻轻地 我解开密封的宝石。 我永远无法描述 一万个美丽的感性 我们的方式做爱。
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This is a wonderful poem from the same book mentioned above. It is written by Kuan Tao-sheng (1262-1319). This could easily be used as a nuptial vow for a wedding. Kuan Tao-sheng lived during the end of the Song dynasty into the Yuan dynasty started by Kublai Khan and the Mongol invasions. Married Love You and I Have so much love, That it Burns like a fire, In which we bake a lump of clay Molded into a figure of you And a figure of me. Then we take both of them, And break them into pieces, And mix the pieces with water, And mold again a figure of you, And a figure of me. I am in your clay. Your are in my clay. In life we share a singe quilt. In death we will share one coffin. -
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Hi Mary, You are quite right regarding Chinese sense of not saying things directly, using inference, allusion, and metaphor to get points across. Well, on further reading the book, I find that Mr. Rexroth has left some very good notes on each of the poets. Huang O's father was part of the Ming Court. She married in 1519 to another poet and dramatist. They were reportedly happy. The attitude of the Chinese government at the time toward erotic literature was unusually permissive. Even so, erotic poetry was not considered proper for women who were not courtesans. Huang O was apparently unique. There are 134 poems in this book spanning from about 300 B.C. to the mid 20th century.
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Thanks Mary for the insight. I'll have to check out the other authors you mentioned and see if any are in the book I have.
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Hmm, Ok Mary, I'll give it a try. Will take a while though.
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I am currently using the library system to see if I can find the original writings of Huang O, using the bibliography information found in the book. I hope it can be found in the U.S. Well, we'll see.
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